Hello, I was in the process of detailing my F360 since it will soon time for her to get out. However, I found many small scratches and I am quite surprised since this fender had a new paint last summer. I tried to polish (swiss vax regular and medium) without much success. Car was only washed by hand. Any idea? Thanks! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I've used this with great success : http://www.meguiars.com/en/professional/products/dmckit6-da-microfiber-correction-system-kit-6/ Requires machine and microfiber pads though. Great product for swirls and moderate defects.
The car is not being washed properly which is resulting in the swirls. My experience is that the only way to get rid of them is to buff them out, as everything else will just temporarily hid them. You may want to consider a paint sealer. To apply; -wash the car -claybar the car -buff out any areas that need paint correction apply the paint sealer (I used Gyeom 2) This is how I wash the car; -wet the car -I use a pressure washer soap foam gun to apply soap -if the car has heavy dirt on it , then I rinse off the soap from the soap gun before washing then reapply soap from the foam soap gun. -with the soap from the soap foam gun on the car I have 2 buckets (one with soap and one with just water) -after cleaning a section of the car with a lambs wool mitt, I rinse it in the water bucket before going back to the soapy water bucket -I rinse the car then I use "Mr. Clean" reverse osmosis water for a final rinse -Last I use a leaf blower to dry the car With the paint sealant, I do not have to use a towel to dry the car as the water just rolls off the car. No swirls no scratches.
You would be surprised by how many vehicles have these from the factory. Most cars in fact no matter if its a Honda or a Ferrari. Most of the time they are only visible in bright or artificial light. Looks like you may need a professional paint correction.
I was surprised when I mentioned that my car had been re-sprayed to the mechanic at the dealership. He laughed and said "most are as Ferrari paint sucks".
Yes, they will need to be removed by machine polishing/compounding. They can occur from poor body shop finish (you said this panel had paint work prior), poor wash technique as well as they could very well have been 'installed' at the factory. I too have seen many F cars delivered directly to the dealer with some pretty poor (in my opinion) paint condition. If you are not familiar with this type of work (to do by yourself), I would want to refer you to a professional in your area. Don't worry though, they can be removed and a fantastic finish can be restored to your 360! Hope this helps!
When washing or drying the car and even putting on and removing wax never ever go in circles with the mitt or towel being used. Going in circles create angles in the paint and the sun reflecting on it makes the swirls happen and become visible. Always go in the direction of the wind passing over the car front to back only no side to side.
Thanks for all the answers and advices! Could it be that the scratches are not on the lacker/varnish but on the red layer below? (In which no machine polishing will obviously help....) Thanks!
Not likely, the scratches are most likely only in the clear coat assuming a knowledgeable/competent shop did the repaint...
Ok, just ordered a Rupes15 polisher, with medium and strong swissvax fluids. In the future, I will use the 2 bucket technique and will avoid to dry with a towel...
I think you are going to really like that Rupes 15. I have a Flex that I have had for about three years and then got the Rupes in January and it is now my go to buffer. The 15 works good in tighter spaces with the smaller pads and why I didn't go to the 21. Have fun.
Get the 21 for a more powerful machine and swap the backing plate with a 15 to accept smaller pads with a greater correction. We do this for all of our machines and just get the 3 inch machine for the tiny spaces.
